Academics to get special protected status under proposed UUCA replacement, says Adam Adli

On November 4, Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli highlighted proposed enhancements to the One Higher Education Act that would grant higher education institutions greater operational autonomy. The new legislation, set to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, aims to overhaul existing administrative and academic governance frameworks.

The deputy minister emphasized that these reforms would include a dedicated status to safeguard academic freedom, a core focus of the proposed law. Under the One Higher Education Act, institutions would be empowered with autonomy in key areas such as staff management, course and program offerings, and the establishment of strategic collaborations.

Protecting academic independence would be ensured through a designated status for academics, moving beyond a traditional employer-employee relationship. The government is currently reviewing several existing legislative acts, including the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act, as part of the broader reforms to address concerns surrounding academic expression and governance.